Cannabis is one of the most discussed drugs in the United States. Banned at the federal level, marijuana is subject to state-specific laws across the country. While 29 states and the District of Columbia permit weed for medical purposes, nine states and the District of Columbia allow its recreational use. Besides, there are 18 states that has not legalized the drug for either purpose but allow the use of non-psychoactive marijuana extract called cannabidiol(CBD) for the treatment of epilepsy or seizures in children.

CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are two prominent constituents in marijuana, which has a total of about 400 compounds. While THC is the main psychoactive constituent of cannabis, CBD is the non-intoxicating ingredient with medicinal properties. Also, CBD cannot give its user a high. Nowadays, CBD products are gaining popularity across the United States.

The Hemp Business Journal has predicted the CBD market to hit $2.1 billion mark in consumer sales by 2020, a 700 percent increase over that of 2016. Of which, $450 million is estimated to come from hemp-based sources. In 2015, marijuana-derived CBD products worth $112 million were sold through dispensaries.

Some companies have also introduced research-based medications in the market. A few of them got approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In December 2017, American pharmaceutical company Insys Therapeutics got FDA nod for an oral solution intended to treat Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by an insatiable appetite in children often leading to obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Epidiolex is another drug based on a purified cannabidiol. According to a study published in the Lancet, Epidiolex could help control seizure in 44 percent of patients taking the drug. Majority of the patients treated with Epidiolex experienced a 50 percent or greater decrease in seizures.

Not all CBD products are genuine

Headset Research data suggested that over 800 CBD-based items are available in Washington state alone, which makes it confusing for consumers to zero in on the product of their need. Banking highly on its non-psychoactive characteristic, companies selling CBD-based products advertise them for anything from relieving nerves and alleviating pains to treating childhood epilepsy. However, any substantial evidences to support most of these claims are largely lacking.

According to a research published in the journal JAMA, only 31 percent of the samples tested from the market had the precise amount of CBD advertised on the label. In addition, 26 percent of these products contained less CBD than displayed on the label, while 43 had higher contents of the non-psychoactive component of cannabis.

Bonn Miller from University of Pennsylvania emphasized on the need of increased regulation to deal with this problem. “Was I shocked? No… Was I disappointed? Yeah. It just got me thinking, we need oversight of this industry. … (It’s) one thing on the recreational side, but here we’re talking about something that people are using almost exclusively medicinally. You don’t get high off of CBD,” Miller said.

Marijuana is dangerously addictive

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that one in 10 marijuana users run a high risk of developing addiction to the drug. In addition, one in six users are vulnerable to addiction, if they start using it before 18 years.

Millions of Americans across the country use marijuana. Nearly 24 million people aged 12 or older used marijuana in the past month, revealed the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Marijuana addiction may lead to many negative consequences, including impaired attention and memory loss. Marijuana use may also contribute to mental health ailments, such as anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts among teens.

Notably, marijuana addiction can be treated with timely medical help. If a person is struggling with marijuana use disorder, he/she should get professional treatment at a credible drug rehab facility. Sovereign Health of Texas, one of the leading marijuana treatment centers, offers evidence-based treatment to people addicted to cannabis. Call our 24/7 helpline or chat online for more information on our treatment for marijuana addiction in Texas.